Energy bars are a good and healthy way to keep your body active during the day. As you may know, there are a lot of options in the market, but they usually have a few extra ingredients that I don’t like to have in my body, so I like to make my own. This recipe is inspired by the Hemp Protein Bars in The Green Kitchen cookbook. I love getting inspired by blogs or books like this one and experiment with new flavor combinations and ideas, and this cookbook has been a graphic and content joy the very moment I opened it. I highly recommend you get it or at least visit their wonderful blog.

Now the recipe! I combined hemp and sunflower seeds with oats, bananas, dates, coconut oil and desiccated coconut to make this wonderful snack. They don’t require any cooking and they are vegan. They also have a high calorie count (the good kind), and are very high on fiber, so enjoy them after a workout and in small amounts. They will give you a great energy boost and make your hunger go away.

If you haven’t tried any recipes with hemp seeds, this is the perfect recipe to start! Hemp Seeds are a complete protein. They have the most concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins and enzymes combined with a relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats. Hemp Seeds are one of nature’s perfect foods – a Super Food. This is one of the most potent foods available, supporting optimal health and well being, for life. Raw hemp provides a broad spectrum of health benefits, including: weight loss, increased and sustained energy, rapid recovery from disease or injury, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced inflammation, improvement in circulation and immune system as well as natural blood sugar control.

In Costa Rica you can get them at Green Center, Ditsu and Ecomercado, or at most organic farmers markets. They are not the cheapest ingredient, since they are no produced here, but the good thing is a little goes a long way. You can add small amounts to you recipes to make the investment last. It’s a great addition to you morning granola, salads or energy bars like this one!